Welcome to the NBA GPP Pivots article, where we’ll be looking to uncover some sneaky-good DFS plays away from the popular selections. These recommendations are usually risk/reward commodities meant to be used in large-field tournaments. Typically, blending these low-owned hidden gems with well-aligned staples contributes to a viable GPP strategy.
Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NBA News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
We will be looking at Tuesday’s six-game slate starting at 7:00 ET.
POINT GUARD
Goran Dragic - Miami (vs. Atlanta)
This recommendation would become more interesting if Jimmy Butler (questionable) is ruled out. Butler missed Miami’s last game against Atlanta, and Kendrick Nunn stepped up for 44 fantasy points. Dragic turned in a pedestrian 22 FP performance in 29 minutes, but he could be asked to step up if Butler is out once again. We can’t forget that Dragic posted 38 FP last week vs. Utah, and he’s fully capable of reclaiming that level. It helps that Atlanta ranks below average in team defensive efficiency as well as d-eff to the point guard position.
SHOOTING GUARD
Kevin Huerter - Atlanta (at Miami)
Huerter has a wide range of fantasy outcomes that could scare some people away. On top of that, he has an injury icon next to his name while dealing with a tight back. Despite that, Huerter is expected to play tonight, hoping to find the same rhythm as two days ago - when he posted 38 FP against Miami. That marks two 38+ FP showings in his last four games, and the salary is still cheap due to a tough shooting night in a blowout vs. Boston last week.
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SMALL FORWARD
Will Barton - Denver (at Milwaukee)
Barton has been pretty mediocre lately, but I believe we’ll see his good side tonight. The Nuggets need him to log heavy minutes with Paul Millsap, JaMychal Green, Gary Harris, and now Facundo Campazzo all sidelined. Denver will need Barton on the floor to counter Milwaukee’s fast-paced threat as well. “Will the Thrill” is averaging 32 minutes and 29 fantasy points over his last two games, and he could realistically top both of those numbers tonight.
POWER FORWARD
Daniel Theis - Boston (vs. LA Clippers)
The power forward position is pretty straightforward with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nerlens Noel standing out as solid “per dollar” values. However, don’t forget about Daniel Theis when creating multiple entries. He had a terrible game in Atlanta last week (3 FP in 11 minutes), which is keeping his price deflated. Since then, the big man has turned things around with 34+ FP in two straight. He’s a bargain sleeper to maintain that level tonight.
CENTER
Clint Capela - Atlanta (at Miami)
Most people will be looking towards Nikola Jokic at center or go cheaper for a guy like Jakob Poeltl. Capela is priced at a discount compared to Jokic, but he’s still significantly more expensive than options like Poeltl, Valanciunas, and others. Capela has posted 50+ fantasy points in back-to-back games, and there’s reason to believe that he will have better “per dollar” numbers than Jokic tonight.
ALSO CONSIDER
Monte Morris (PG - DEN) should see sufficient playing time with Campazzo out. What he does with those 32-34 minutes is a better question. Morris has a high fantasy range with a rough floor, but we can’t forget about his 30+ fantasy points in two of the last five games.
Duncan Robinson (SF - MIA) is another guy who could see a boost if Jimmy Butler is out. Nunn, Herro, and Bam will get most of the attention if Butler sits, but don’t forget about unassuming candidates like Robinson and Dragic to pick up the slack.
You should know the deal with Bobby Portis (PF - MIL) by now. He’s going to come off the bench, see 20-25 minutes, chuck up a bunch of shots, and grab 6-8 boards. If his jumper is falling and he’s able to get a block or two, then you’ll be rewarded with a nice fantasy day. He’s fully capable of hitting anywhere between 12-40 fantasy points, so that’s the risk/reward proposition we are looking at. You’d think he would be able to get it going against a Denver team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency to power forwards.